George MacDonald (1824 –1905) was a Scottish author, poet and Christian minister. He was a pioneering figure in the field of modern fantasy literature and the mentor of fellow writer Lewis Carroll. 'Phantastes: A Faerie Romance for Men and Women' is a fantasy novel, which was first published in 1858. It is a coming-of-age tale or spiritual quest narrative of the character Anodos, a young man who is pulled into a dreamlike realm where he goes on a long journey full of dramatic adventures. Anodos discovers the fairies that live in flowers, the tree spirits, and a host of other creatures and apparitions. Ultimately he learns and understands about surrendering the self.